5 Best Racing Games on Xbox Series X|S (2024)

Vroom vroom! Rev your engines. Put your foot on the gas and get ready to floor it to the finish line. Whatever piques your interest, the Xbox Series X/S has something special for you. You can race against online opponents in real-life hardcore racing simulators or get behind the wheel of more playful arcade-kart racing games. Check out the best racing games on Xbox Series X/S in 2024 that you should play.

5. DIRT 5

Off-road racing has never been better. Codemasters make sure of it with constant iterations for the DiRT franchise. With DiRT 5, you get the same simcade racing game, only better. You’ll take on several global routes behind the wheel of iconic race cars. From gravel to ice, snow, and sand, prepare for the adventure of a lifetime, muddying the rims of trucks, rally icons, and even GT heroes. Nothing is as safe as cruising the most treacherous terrain in your armchair. You can let loose freely, learn from mistakes, and push yourself through amped-up difficulty. At the most severe level, all assists are off, and it’s just you and the road before you.

It’s great that DiRT 5 has cutting-edge visuals, illustrating sharp bends and obstacles as clear as day. Moreover, you can switch to night mode, too, cruising around corners using the most seamless controls. To kick it up an extra notch, feel free to bring friends along, gallivanting across the world at blistering speeds. In total, DiRT 5 provides over 70 unique routes across 10 global locations, more than enough to keep you busy for hours on end. Also, there’s a discount now on popular game outlets offering pure arcade racing fun.

4. Assetto Corsa Competizione

Next up, we have Assetto Corsa Competizione, one of the best sim racing games out there, owing to its competitive immersion, handling, and overall racing experience. It strives to authentically and accurately depict hardcore simulation, complete with photorealistic visuals and impressive detail. Thanks to motion capture, you truly feel like you’re cruising down world-famous circuits. The same goes for its industry-leading audio that places you in the action. However, that drastic attention to hard-core simulation can be a drawback for some. 

Assetto Corsa Competizione is exceptionally professional and designed for veterans, so much so that if you’re looking for a simple, playful experience, you might come off disappointed. For better or worse, it's the game for pro racers. It demands a passion for the wheel and simulation. Competing against official drivers sparks championship intrigue. It perfects handling with demanding but rewarding systems that encourage replayability. Put in the time and work, and rest assured, you’ll work your driving skills up to best-in-class status.

3. Need for Speed Unbound

The Need for Speed franchise put racing on the map, sparking a growing community of adrenaline lovers. It continued to iterate on its gameplay and mechanics, leading up to the fantastic Need for Speed Unbound 25th entry in the series. Fans of the series will be familiar with the gameplay. You know, the usual racing against time, high-speed chases, cops hot on your tail, and seasonal events for the ultimate street racing ranking. 

Set in the fictional Lakeshore city, Need for Speed Unbound charges you into its open, free-form world to do as you please. It’s a solid choice for players looking to have a good time, precisely for the street racing culture. With 75 free cosmetics and customizations, you’ll be free to tinker around with your image and style. Also, the game features a story and progression system, providing some level of structure.

2. F1 2021

Back to simulators, you may want to check out the official Formula 1 and Formula 2 racing in the F1 2021 game. It features the official tracks and teams from the championship games, mimicking the real-life environments and cars as closely as technically possible. The best part about the F1 series is the freedom to tinker around with the teams and career mode. With F1 2021, you enjoy a more comprehensive system, plus a fun Braking Point story mode to boot.

It’s easy to call out mistakes in championship events. But getting behind the wheel yourself is where it gets too real. You get a first-person, on-board view to really feel like you’re on track. You can feel the car handling as you steer the wheel and enjoy the job well done on track. With such F1 engine power in your hands, you take complete charge of your car, which, fortunately, handles pretty well.

1. Forza Horizon 5

The Forza Horizon series branched off from the Forza series to bring you races based on the fictional Horizon Festival. Just like the motorsport franchise, the spin-off thrives at simulation, too. However, you enjoy a slightly more relaxed breeze through the countryside and actually take the time to take in the views. As such, you may want to play Forza Horizon 5 if you’re looking for balanced gameplay between simulation and freedom. With Forza Horizon 5, you take on a fictional Mexico. An adventurous, open world awaits, with pleasant views and deeply immersive races. Environments are deeply varied, from driving past active volcanoes to winding through lush forests. 

Moreover, you can sign up for multiple activities and events, building up to the final Horizon Festival event. With hundreds of challenges, you’ll be spoilt for choice, fully engaged in car-loving shenanigans. Plus, the option for players to create their own races and even better events allows for limitless fun across ever-evolving landscapes. Many simulators are structured. Forza Horizon 5, on the other hand, gives you the best of both worlds. It wants you to spread your wings and fly, endlessly tinkering around with its systems and experimenting to your heart’s content.

So, what’s your take? Do you agree with our list of the best racing games on Xbox Series X|S in 2024? Are there more racing games on the Xbox Series X/S we should know about? Do let us know over on our socials here.